Mary Lou Pruner Till

Mary Lou Pruner Till was born April 5, 1928 in Kennard, Neb. She passed from this life on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at the age of 84 at Vista Grande Nursing Home. She was the daughter of Gifford Harold Pruner and Laura Marie Pederson Pruner. She moved to Cortez with her family at six months of age when Giff opened the Chevrolet dealership in Cortez.

In her early years, Mary Lou loved to fish, go camping and go on picnics with her family, and take Sunday rides to the mountains to see the wildlife. She was a workaholic and usually worked two jobs. She worked in the bookkeeping department of Citizens State Bank and First National Bank, as a waitress at the Pony Express Restaurant and later at City Market in the Deli department. Mary Lou and husband Bill Till owned and operated the Muse Restaurant which was later called Mr. T’s Restaurant for about 24 years.

Mary Lou fought a battle with Alzheimer’s for the past eight years. She was cared for by many wonderful people who were always compassionate and loving.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband William “Bill” Till; sisters Betty Herndon, Katherine Gaines, and her twin sister Ella Sue Livingston.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the Cortez Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Lou Till’s name with the Alzheimer’s Association. Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.